Information in English – Lunds Waldorfskola

Lunds Waldorf School started in 1977 and is situated in Hardeberga, a village close to Lund and near Södra Sandy and Dalby. The school is surrounded by beautiful countryside and has a view of the Öresund bridge. We offer subsidised school buses from Lund, Södra Sandby and Dalby. Our students come from various municipilaties in Skåne e.g. Staffanstorp, Malmö, Eslöv, Svedala and Landskrona, as well as Lund. Here is a link to the school on Google Maps.
The school is run by a non-profit making foundation.
The municipality pays for the students schooling which is free. However there are subsidised fees for after-school care and the school buses
The school has classes from years 1 to 9 and in total around 180 students. There is a Waldorf playschool nearby and the after-school care (Vindkulla) is situated on the school grounds.
The school is divided into two parts. Years 1 to 5 are based in the old village school building next to the church. 300 metres to the east are the buildings where years 6 to 9 are based (”säteriet”). In the area between these two sites is a forest, football field and vegetable patches which are a part of our Hållbara Hardeberga (sustainable Hardeberga) project. This is also the location of the school office, the principal's office and after-school care. Contained in the buildings at ”säteriet” are rooms for woodwork, needlework, the natural sciences, an ICT room and a library. The old village school building also houses the school kitchen. Students in years 4 to 9 have gym classes at Vikingahallen in Lund.
The school kitchen makes vegetarian food from scratch every school day. As far as possible all ingredients are biodynamic, organic and locally-produced. Years 1 to 7 eat in their classrooms, whilst years 8 to 9 eat in a lunchroom at ”säteriet”.
A central part of the school's life is its traditions. At the end of September we have an autum festival with a market, ”dragon game” (for the students) and café. In November we celebrate a festival of light and in the beginning of December there is a Christmas market organised by the parental organisation at the school, HAFF. The traditional Swedish celebration of Lucia is held in Hardeberga's church. In addition to this we have many other whole-school activities such as theme days and monthly assemblies.
The school curriculum is follows the Swedish state curriculum for schools and the national Waldorf curriculum. Students take the national tests in years 3, 6 and 9. They receive grades for the first time in year 9 and with these grades they can apply to ”gymnasium” (high school or sixth form college). Most students continue their education at various ”gymnasium ” in Lund.
Artistic expression permeates all the subjects taught here. Students are encouraged to think creatively and criticallly which leads to an ability to solve problems and take initiative. The interpersonal meeting between students and staff is of great importance to us.
As far as possible we strive for a school that adheres to the following strucure:
- The morning is reserved for teaching of more theoretical subjects such as history, chemistry, biology etc. One subject is taught every morning for one to two hours for a period of between two and four weeks.
- In the middle of the school day we concentrate on subjects such as music, language and mathematics.
- As the students become mentally tired in the afternoon they work more with handwork and physical education.
- In years one to five the school day begins with an invigorating morning walk all year round. The walk, as well as providning exercise, gives an opportunity to follow the seasons of the year. It is then easier to concentrate in the classroom.
Teaching is guided not only by ready-made teaching materials and books but also by the teacher's telling, groupwork and artistic work. The students' presentation of their knowledge can be done artisitcally, verbally or with written work.
There are two subjects that are exclusive for Waldorf schools: eurythmics and form drawing. The coordination and other skills used in these studies can help students in other areas of the curriculum.
The class teacher usually follows the class from years 1 to 8. There are subject teachers for music, eurythmics and Spanish from year 1. From year 4 there is a subject teacher for physical education and from year 5 also for English. In year 3 students learn to swim.
The school has a well-equipped ICT room and we are currently working on making the internet available to classrooms from year 4. We have chosen to not have any wireless networks at the school. Students who have special needs have access to laptops with appropriate programmes.
In year 8 the students perform a play as a large production . In year 9 the students also perform a play but on a smaller scale. Plays and musical performances are also performed in other years. According to tradition Lucia is performed by year 4.
As a way to end year 9 the students travel to another country on an educational trip associated wtih geology. Camps and trips also take place in other years.
The school has a well-functioning student health team that is lead by the principal.
The school has two student councils, one for years 4 to 5 and one for years 6 to 9. In the lower years they have class council and circle-time.
Almost all of the school's teachers are qualified Waldorf teachers and many have state teacher education. All teachers in need of further Waldorf training are offered it.
The school's principal is an experienced pedagogue.
Students are placed in a queue according to the date of application. Siblings are prioritised. Several classes are now full but there are places available in the others and you are welcome to apply!

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